VOORSANGER     COLLECTION 

OF    TH  E 

SEMITIC     LIBRARY 

OF    THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

GIFT  OF 

REV.  JACOB  VOORSANGER,  D.D. 

1906 


LOWERS  OF  ZION 


BY 

AARON  FRIEDENWALD,  M.  D. 

OF  BALTIMORE,  MD. 


ADDRESS  DELIVERED  BEFORE   THE  M2KVE  ISRAEL 

ASSOCIATION  OF  PHILADELPHIA 

DECEMBER  23,  1894 


PUBLISHED  BY 

THE  ZION  ASSOCIATION 

OF  BALTIMORE 


Since  affairs  in  Russia  assumed  a  state  which  compelled 
thousands  upon  thousands  of  its  Jewish  inhabitants  to  seek 
homes  in  other  parts  of  the  world,  the  love  for  Zion,  that 
has  •accompanied  Israel  throughout  the  dispersion,  has  ac- 
quired a  fresh  intensity;  this  has  inaugurated  a  movement, 
full  of  richest  promise.  This  movement  has  the  lofty  aspira- 
tion of  making  the  Hebrew  language  again  .the  language  of 
the  Hebrews,  and  of  establishing  a  home  for  Israelites  in 
that  land  which  was  the  home  of  their  ancestors.  It  shall 
be  the  purpose  of  the  lecture  which  I  have  the  honor  to 
deliver,  by  your  kind  invitation,  to  present  the  motives  which 
have  led  to  the  organization  of  the  Chovevi  Zion,  to  outline 
>its  progress,  and  to  consider  the  possibilities  which  it  in- 
dicates. 

The  world  has  greatly  marveled  at  the  unexpected  pre- 
servation of  the  Jews.  When  Rome  finally  triumphed  over 
the  Holy  City  and  Israel  was  carried  into  captivity,  every- 
thing pointed  to  the  total  annihilation  of  the  Jews  as  a 
people.  Little  did  the  historian  of  that  day  dream,  that  the 
historian  of  nearly  twenty  centuries  later  would  speak  of 
them  as  the  only  living  relic  of  antiquity;  as  a  people,  which, 
under  the  most  adverse  conditions,  had  made  the  long  jour- 
ney from  ancient  to  modern  times;  as  a  people,  fully  pre- 
serving its  identity,  and  still  adhering  to  that  religion  for 
which  it  had  unceasingly  to  suffer,  from  the  time  of  the 
destruction  of  its  nationality  to  the  present  day.  But  it  is 
not  the  simple  survival  of  the  Jews  of  which  history  has  to 
take  account.  It  must  accord  them  recognition  not  only 
for  having  preserved  themselves,  in  spite  of  having  been 
subjected  to  persecutions  such  as  have  been  the  lot  of  no 
other  people,  but  also  for  much  that  they  have  preserved 
for  the  world.  They  were  the  media,  through  which  largely 
the  intellectual  achievements  of  the  East  reached  the  West 


320222 


during  the  middle  ages;  and  to  them,  furthermore,  must 
be  accorded  no  mean  share  in  the  progress  the  world  has 
made  since  that  time.  During  that  long  period  in  which  the 
whole  of  Europe  was  steeped  in  ignorance  and  the  con- 
tinuous clash  of  arms  was  the  expression  of  a  vile  brutality, 
the  Jews,  proscribed  at  every  step  by  those  in  power,  sub- 
jected to  the  contumely  of  vulgar  mobs,  insecure  in  the 
possession  of  what  was  tangible,  with  no  place  that  they 
could  call  a  home,  cultivated  a  spiritual  life  and  an  intellect- 
ual life; "and  in  moments  of  peace  within  their  four  walls  their 
crouching  forms  would  assume  the  dignity  of  self-respect 
and  they  would  look  down  upon  the  degradation  of  their 
persecutors  with  contempt,  were  they  slaves,  or  were  they 
kings.  Conscious  of  a  sacred  mission  which  they  were  des- 
tined to  fulfill,  feeling  their  responsibility  as  custodians  of 
the  Law  and  animated  by  the  hope  of  the  restoration  of  their 
national  life,  they  became  the  heroes  of  an  unequaled  mar- 
tyrdom  consecrated  to  the  glory  of  God.  Through  many 
centuries  they  were  the  witnesses  of  the  instability  of  material 
grandeur  among  the  many  nations.  While  they  were  kept 
alive  by  the  inspiration  of  a  holy  faith,  they  saw  one  power 
succumb  to  another,  each  in  turn  becoming  their  persecu- 
tors. Over  and  over  again  they  were  robbed  of  all  their 
earthly  possessions,  but  they  took  good  care  not  to  be 
cheated  of  their  faith.  Though  pressed  as  they  were  on  all 
sides,  peace  and  honor  were  regarded  as  worthless  currency 
when  offered  them  in  exchange  for  that  gem  inherited  from 
their  forefathers;  although  treated  as  aliens  everywhere, 
they  held  this  up  as  the  insignia  of  becoming  a  blessing  to 
all  mankind. 

When  at  last  the  light  of  modern  times  began  to  illumine 
the  world,  and  under  its  benign  influence  man  was  gradu- 
ally led  from  serfdom  into  citizenship,  and  despotism  had 
to  yield  to  representative  government,  the  Jew  could  not 
altogether  be  excluded  from  the  benefits  which  were  brought 
about  by  the  salutary  changes.  In  those  countries  which 
led  in  the  advance,  the  Jew  was  granted  equal  rights.  It 


seemed  as  if  an  era  had  been  established  in  the  world's  his- 
tory, in  which  there  could  be  no  step  backward  in  the  con- 
ception of  the  principle  of  equal  rights  for  all  men.  The 
general  proposition,  that  any  law  which  denied  the  rights 
of  any  special  class  of  men,  carried  with  it  the  condition 
that  the  rights  of  all  men  would  be  rendered  insecure,  was 
too  clear  to  be  disregarded.  No  class  of  men,  therefore, 
in  the  great  struggle  for  liberty,  could  demand  rights  for 
themselves  which  they  would  deny  to  others;  and  so  the 
Jew  came  in  for  his  share,  although,  the  inference  is  justified 
that  it  was  not  always  ungrudgingly  awarded. 

It  seemed  further  that  the  intimate  intercourse  among  the 
nations  which  marked  the  age,  would  bring  them  rapidly 
nearer  to  each  other  in  their  sympathies,  and  that  the  memor- 
able political  regeneration  which  had  so  greatly  changed 
the  complexion  of  Western  Europe  could  not  long  be  barred 
out  of  its  Eastern  empires. 

Under  these  favorable  auspices,  the  Jew  entered  upon  a 
new  activity.  The  long  discipline  through  which  he  had 
passed,  came  very  much  to  his  aid  in  the  various  fields  in 
which  he  was  now  permitted  to  move,  and  it  was  not  long 
before  he  attracted  attention  for  the  distinction  which  he 
attained.  It  was  not  remarkable  that  he  succeeded  so  well 
in  the  various  branches  of  commerce,  for  even  with  the 
disadvantages  under  which  he  had  previously  labored,  his 
aptitude  in  this  direction  had  fully  manifested  itself.  He 
now  assumed  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  work  to  be  done 
in  other  fields.  He  had  suffered  under  the  unjust  accusa- 
tion that  he  had  no  ambition  except  for  gain,  but  he  soon 
appeared  as  an  earnest  competitor  in  every  avenue  which 
led  to  honorable  fame.  In  the  arts  and  in  the  sciences, 
in  literature  and  in  politics,  he  contributed  names  which 
will  remain  illustrious  for  all  time. 

Having  always  been  loyal  to  the  state,  even  when  he  had 
to  suffer  from  unkind  discriminations,  his  pride  in  full  citi- 
zenship knew  no  bounds;  and  he  was  not  loath  to  rid  him- 
self of  characteristics,  some  of  which  were  not  to  his  dis- 


credit,  in  order  to  thoroughly  provide  against  the  continu- 
ance of  social  distinctions  between  him  and  other  citizens. 
He  plunged  into  the  current  of  the  times  and  his  course 
indicated  that  he  sought  his  welfare  in  directions  in  which 
he  drifted  farther  and  farther  from  his  Jewish  interests.  He 
lived  his  new  life  as  though  he  had  just  been  born,  and  as 
though  at  his  birth  his  history  had  died.  He  felt  sure  that 
he  was  now  standing  upon  firm  ground,  and  that  no  occa- 
sion could  arise  that  would  render  his  rights  insecure. 

History,  however,  has  often  repeated  itself  in  the  testi- 
mony which  it  has  recorded  in  regard  to  unexpected  in- 
terruptions in  the  onward  march  of  civilization;  and  so  in 
our  day,  the  long-cherished  hope  that  the  benign  influence 
which  had  developed  in  Western  Europe  would  travel  east- 
ward and  reach  the  Jews  where  they  were  most  in  need  of 
it,  was  doomed  to  meet  a  sad  disappointment.  It  was  a 
most  bitter  irony  of  fate,  when  the  storm  came  from  whence 
the  refreshing  zephyr  was  expected.  In  that  country  fore- 
most among  the  advanced  in  high  culture  and  in  the  develop- 
ment of  general  intelligence,  an  intolerance  asserted  itself 
which  on  account  of  its  anomalous  character  had  to  assume 
a  new  name,  "  antisemitism  " ;  this,  the  lamented  Frederick 
III.  (then  Crown  Prince)  denounced  as  "  Ein  Schmach  des 
Jahrhunderts."  More  thian  this,  its  contagion1  spread  to 
that  mighty  empire,  its  close  neighbor,  whose  institutions 
were  formed  in  the  mould  of  the  dark  ages,  and  there  it 
incited  a  cruel  persecution,  which,  in  the  intensity  of  its 
barbarism,  could  only  be  equaled  by  events  which  disgraced 
mediaeval  times.  Antisemitism  spread  from  Germany  to 
Austria,  and  even  secured  for  itself  some  foothold  in  repub- 
lican France.  To  provide  a  basis  upon  which  it  could 
stand,  the  Jew  was  confronted  by  a  remarkable  arraign- 
ment. "He  pushed  himself  forward  and  secured  positions 
which  others  should  occupy."  "  He  sent  too  many  of  his 
youth  to  higher  institutions  of  learning."  "  He  filled  too 
many  chairs  in  the  universities."  "  He  became  too  potent 
a  factor  in  the  press."  These  were  some  of  the  charges 


preferred  against  him.  The  intelligence,  energy  and  ambi- 
tion which  enabled  him  to  elevate  himself,  and  which  would 
have  been  commended  in  any  one  else,  subjected  him  to 
a  relentless  hatred.  He  was  denounced  as  a  parasite  upon 
the  nation,  although  he  was  an  inhabitant  of  Germany  be- 
fore Christianity  was  brought  there,  and  here,  as  has  been 
his  lot  almost  everywhere  else,  had  been  systematically 
robbed  during  many  centuries  whenever  it  was  worth  while 
doing  so.  He  was  charged  with  being  governed  by  a  low 
standard  of  honor  in  his  dealings  with  all  men,  and  this  by 
the  party  which  sent  Ahlwardt  to  the  Reichstag,  even  after 
he  had  been  disgraced  in  a  court  of  law.  Every  possible 
distortion  of  statistics  was  made  available  to  place  him  -in 
a  false  light  before  the  world,  to  justify  the  cruel  ostracism 
to  which -he  at  once  was  subjected,  and  to  .offer  a  plea  upon 
which  eventually,  the  abrogation  of  his  rights  under  the  law 
could  be  consummated.  Humiliating  as  this  condition  of 
affairs  was  to  the  Jew  in  Germany,  against  whom  it  was 
specially  directed,  it  made  no  less  a  profound  impression 
upon  his  unfortunate  brother  in  Russia.  In  Russia  the  Jew 
was  in  the  way  on  account  of  his  religion,  and  inasmuch 
as  he  could  not  be  made  to  desert  his  faith,  he  must  be 
gotten  rid  of.  In  Germany  ,no  one  objected  to  his  religion, 
so  it  was  said,  but  his  race,  as  a  component  part  of  the  nation, 
would  vitiate  the  ethical  well-being  of  the  "  Germanen- 
thum";  and  he  had  to  be  degraded,  so  that  he  might  be 
made  harmless.  The  persecution  in  Russia,  terrible  as  it 
was,  could  be  more  readily  understood  than  antisemitism 
born  in  Germany.  The  former  was  the  outcome  of  the 
crime  of  one  man,  in  a  country  whose  people  could  not 
claim  rights;  the  latter  is  the  sin  of  a  nation,  whose  institu- 
tions are  based  on  the  theory  that  all  men  have  rights,  to 
assail  which  is  a  crime.  Everywhere  the  relation  of  the  Jew 
to  the  rest  of  the  world  has  been  and  is  being  busily  dis- 
cussed, and  there  has  arisen  what  has  been  termed  the  "  Jew- 
ish Question."  Those  who  have  been  forced  to  contemplate 
expatriation  with  all  the  hardships  necessarily  attending  it, 


felt  that  they  would  be  unwelcome  guests  wherever  they 
would  come.  It  has  become  more  and  more  evident,  that 
the  Jew  is  more  or  less  hated  everywhere.  The  prejudice 
against  him  has  gone  through  so  many  generations,  has 
been  made  legitimate  by  the  example  of  so  many  high  in 
the  church  and  in  the  state,  that  it  has  finally  impressed 
itself  as  a  perverted  social  instinct,  to  eradicate  which  will 
require  a  very  extended  period  of  time  and  a  higher  moral 
development  than  the  world  has  yet  attained.  One  who  has 
come  into  possession  of  wealth  by  inheritance  would  be 
rather  loath  to  renounce  it  on  the  ground  that  it  had  origin- 
ally been  dishonestly  acquired,  especially  on  the  allegation 
of  one  who  was  known  not  to  have  enjoyed  the  friendship 
of  the  testator;  and  so  will  one  generation  inheriting  a  social 
prejudice  from  previous  generations  be  disinclined  to  give 
it  up  in  behalf  of  one  who  has  been  considered  an  outsider 
in  untold  number  of  generations. 

The  efforts  of  the  Jews  themselves  and  of  their  friendly 
advocates  to  place  their  cause  in  a  true  light  before  the  world 
have  not  met  with  much  success.  The  hideous  caricature 
in  which  the  Jew  has  so  long  been  maliciously  represented, 
has  finally  made  such  a  lasting  impression  upon  the  mental 
vision  of  his  enemies,  that  no  matter  in  what  form  he  ap- 
pears, he  assumes  the  repugnant  picture  in  which  he  has 
become  familiar.  So  far,  there  is  no  indication  that  can 
encourage  us  to  hope  that  any  speedy  change  will  take 
place  in  this  morbid  condition.  The  restoration  of  healthy 
function  in  a  perverted  sense,  that  has  passed  through  gen- 
erations as  a  hereditary  infirmity,  is  an  extremely  slow  pro- 
cess. In  concrete  cases  the  Jew  will  succeed  by  life-long 
reputation  for  integrity,  by  special  talents,  or  rare  genius, 
to  win  due  recognition,  but  the  friendship  which  it  may 
bring  him  will  not  benefit  any  other  Jew;  on  the  contrary, 
when  one  Jew  brings  himself  into  discredit,  the  Jews  as  a 
class  are  embraced  in  the  condemnation  which  follows.  The 
antagonism  which  is  directed  against  the  Jew  everywhere 
proceeds  from  the  same  cause,  its  expression  varies  only 


according  to  the  state  of  civilization  in  the  respective  coun- 
tries in  which  it  exists.  It  is  very  unfortunate,  therefore,  that 
the  geographical  distribution  of  the  Jews  is  such,  that  but  a 
comparatively  small  number  live  in  the  more  highly  devel- 
oped states  of  Western  Europe,  while  probably  more  than 
one-half  of  all  their  number  are  to  be  found  aggregated  in 
rather  a  small  area  of  Eastern  Europe,  where  the  harshest 
conditions  prevail. 

It  would  be  a  sad  mistake  to  continue  to  suffer  and  to 
wait  for  that  period  when  the  brotherhood  of  man  shall  have 
been  fully  established,  and  those  enmities  based  upon  differ- 
ences in  descent  and  belief  shall  have  ceased.  But  what 
shall  we  do?  The  Chovevi  Zion  has  given  an  answer  to 
this  question.  It  is  based  upon  the  conviction  that  the 
preservation  of  the  dignity  of  the  Jewish  people  all  over 
the  world  depends  upon  the  revival  of  the  national  idea. 
This  will  bind  them  closer  to  their  Jewish  interests;  and 
this  is  gradually  to  secure  for  a  portion  of  those  imbued 
with  the  national  sentiment,  now  suffering  from  the  de- 
pressing influence  prevailing  within  the  overcrowded  pale 
of  settlement,  a  life  such  as  their  ancestors  led,  amid  the 
scenes  of  their  ancient  history.  Here  the  Jew  is  to  find 
peace  in  a  simpler  and  more  natural  life.  Here,  in  freer 
movements,  in  fresher  air,  he  is  to  regain  his  physical 
strength.  Here,  under  the  inspiration  of  a  glorious  past, 
Jewish  thought  is  to  find  its  richest  spontaneity.  Here, 
to  the  land  where  once  milk  and  honey  flowed,  the  Jew 
shall  come  from  his  latest  expatriation  to  redeem  it  from 
the  waste,  worn  as  the  badge  of  mourning  for  the  children 
carried  off  by  the  ancient  exile. 

This  sentiment  led  to  the  organization  of  Chovein  Zion 
Association  in  Russia  in  1882,  shortly  after  the  outbreak 
of  the  persecution  which  has  become  so  memorable;  but 
from  the  nature  of  things  in  that  empire,  it  continued  to  exist 
in  secret,  until  1890,  when  it  received  the  sanction  of  the 
government.  While  it  still  receives  its  largest  support  in 
Russia,  similar  associations  have  been  established  in  Aus- 


tria,  Germany,  England,  France,  and  I  am  glad  to  add,  in 
this  country.  Twenty-four  colonies  have  thus  far  been 
established,  embracing  a  population  of  over  4000  souls.  The 
progress  of  these  colonies  has  made  it  clear  that  the 
project  of  repopulating  Palestine  by  Jews  in  this  way  is 
perfectly  feasible.  It  is  true  that  these  colonies  are  still  far 
from  having  reached  full  prosperity,  but  the  increasing  re- 
ward which  has  attended  the  persistent  labor  of  the  earnest 
colonists,  warrants  the  assumption  that  it  will  not  be  long 
before  they  will  be  able  to  rely  entirely  upon  themselves. 
The  "  Chovevi  Zion "  will  then  be  enabled  to  devote  its 
means  to  the  gradual  organization  of  new  colonies.  It 
must  be  mentioned  here  that  a  part  of  the  money  contributed 
to  the  older  colonies  has  already  been  returned  to  the  asso- 
ciation. Very  important  data  relating  to  the  colonies,  col- 
lected by  Mr.  Adam  Rosenberg  of  New  York,  during  a 
visit  in  October,  1891,  were  published  in  the  "  Palestina," 
a  quarterly  journal  in  the  interest  of  the  Chovevi  Zion  in 
England.  There  have  been  considerable  changes  since  this 
report  was  made,  but  it  is  sufficiently  recent  to  furnish  very 
important  information.  This,  with  an  article  from  "  Jordan," 
an  annual  publication  by  the  Zion  Association  in  Vienna, 
in  1893,  by  Dr.  Nathan  Birnbaum,  form  the  basis  of  some 
details  which  I  shall  now  give. 


COLONIES  IN  JUDEA. 

Mikveh  Israel,  the  oldest  of  the  colonies,  founded  by  Net- 
ter  in  1869,  is  situated  one  mile  south  of  Jaffa.  It  com- 
prises over  3000  acres.  It  is  not  to  be  classed  with  other 
colonies,  being  the  agricultural  school  of  the  Alliance 
Israelite  Universelle.  It  is  prominent  in  being  the  pioneer  to 
suggest  the  return  of  Jews  in  Palestine  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits. Those  who  have  been  educated  in  this  school,  have 
rendered  valuable  services  in  organizing  the  later  colonies. 
One  hundred  and  twenty  pupils  are  now  receiving  instruc- 


tion  in  this  institution,  whose  curriculum  extends  over  six 
years,  three  of  which  are  devoted  to  theory,  and  three  to  its 
practical  application.  Among  its  products  are  almonds, 
peaches,  apricots,  oranges,  citrons,  granates  and  apples,  but 
the  principal  yield  is  derived  from  its  extensive  wine  culture. 
In  1891,  its  income  reached  20,000  francs. 

Rishon  r Zion,  situated  five  miles  south  of  Jaffa,  is  the 
first  colony  to  grow  out  of  the  modern  Zion  movement.  It 
embraces  2000  acres,  bought  at  £i  i6s.  per  acre;  240  acres 
are  planted  in  fruit  trees,  of  which  there  are  about  15,000 
almond  trees,  700  granates,  16,000  mulberries  and  a  large 
number  of  trees  bearing  nuts.  600  'acres  are  planted  with 
1,150,000  vines.  Other  parts  of  the  land  are  assigned  to 
cereals.  This  colony  was  founded  in  1882  under  great  dif- 
ficulties, which  have  now,  through  the  patient  persistence 
of  the  colonists  and  the  timely  aid  of  Baron  Edmund  de 
Rothschild,  been  fully  overcome.  Silk  culture  has  been 
added  to  the  enterprises  of  this  colony.  The  length  of  the 
village  from  east  to  west  is  540  metres,  its  breadth,  north 
and  south,  150  metres.  There  are  about  50  houses  built  of 
stone,  and  a  population  of  400.  The  four  streets  are  lined 
on  both  sides  with  mulberry  trees.  Satisfactory  irrigation 
is  maintained  by  steam  power  and  a  network  of  pipes.  Upon 
the  highest  elevation  in  the  colony  its  beautiful  synagogue 
is  located.  The  colony  has  the  advantage  of  a  well-orga- 
nized school.  The  more  advanced  boys  and  girls  are  already 
availing  themselves  of  Hebrew  as  the  language  of  conversa- 
tion. The  prospects  of  this  community  are  most  gratifying. 

Waad  el  Chanin  was  founded  by  Reuben  Lehrer,  of  Rus- 
sia, in  1883.  It  is  about  four  miles  in  a  southeasterly  direc- 
tion from  Jaffa.  It  comprises  400  acres,  which  were  bought 
at  £i  45.  per  acre.  Here,  again,  the  munificence  of  Baron 
de  Rothschild  came  to  the  rescue  by  a  loan  of  12,000  francs. 
There  are  30,000  grape  vines  and  10,000  fruit  trees.  The 
colonists  number  30.  They  are  still  in  want  of  sufficient 
funds,  but  their  lot  has  greatly  improved  and  they  are  full 
of  encouragement.  The  wine  which  they  manufactured  was 


10 

sold  to  the  baron.  Honey  has  been  a  profitable  product; 
300  hives  have  yielded  about  20  francs  each,  per  annum. 

Ekron,  founded  in  1882,  is  about  20  miles  south  of  Jaffa. 
After  a  severe  struggle  in  the  beginning,  it  came  under  the 
protection  of  the  baron  and  has  made  such  satisfactory 
progress,  that  as  early  as  1886,  its  settlers  were  able  to  dis- 
pense with  further  aid.  It  embraces  noo  acres  purchased 
at  from  £i  123.  to  £i  i6s.  per  acre.  The  population,  con- 
sisting of  1 6  families  and  laborers,  numbers  150  souls.  There 
are  planted  12,000  apricot,  300  olive,  700  orange  and  800 
fig  trees.  Grain  and  vegetables  are  among  the  products  of 
this  colony.  looo  acres  are  under  cultivation.  The  colony 
has  been  provided  with  a  synagogue  for  the  past  8  years, 
with  a  school,  an  'apothecary  and  a  good  road  to  Jaffa. 

Gadrah  owes  its  organization,  in  1882,  to  Russian  Jewish 
students,  in  whom  there  awoke  a  new  love  for  Zion  and  the 
national  sentiment,  and  who  in  their  enthusiasm  turned  their 
steps  toward  'Palestine.  These  settlers  had  to  undergo  great 
privations,  which  they  bore  with  commendable  heroism. 
They  finally  were  accorded  aid  by  the  Chovevi  Zion  Associ- 
ation in  Odessa.  It  is  situated  eight  miles  west  of  Ekron 
and  has  900  acres  of  land,  to  which  400  acres  are  shortly  to 
be  added.  Gadrah  numbers  91  souls,  and  has  well-built 
houses.  One-half  of  the  land  is  devoted  to  the  raising  of 
grain  and  the  rest  to  fruit  trees  and  vines.  They  have 
ploughing  machines  drawn  >by  six  horses.  The  soil  is  well 
adapted  to  vine  culture.  In  the  summer  of  1888,  quite  an 
exciting  battle  occurred  between  the  colonists  and  thievish 
fellahin,1  of  whom  one  was  captured;  since  then  they  have 
not  been  molested. 

Kustinyeh  was  colonized  in  1888,  by  25  families  from 
Bessarabia,  and  acquired  by  them  at  a  cost  of  25,000  rubles, 
and  now  mostly  farm-let  to  fellahin;  only  three  of  the  orig- 
inal families  remained.  The  baron  bought  up  the  whole 
land  and  maintains  a  few  orchards  and  vineyards.  Several 

1  Native  peasants. 


II 

of  the   original   settlers   are   now    among  the   colonists   of 
Rishon  1'Zion. 

Rechovoth,  about  two  miles  distant  from  Ramleh,  is 
on  the  road  between  Jaffa  and  Jerusalem  and  was  founded 
upon  a  new  plan.  Since  1889,  societies  have  been  formed 
all  over  Russia,  and  even  in  Palestine,  in  France  and  in 
America;  the  members,  by  monthly  payments  of  larger  or 
smaller  amounts,  in  the  course  of  a  number  of  years,  secure 
a  home  in  Palestine  upon  land  which  is  adequate  to  support 
a  family.  Such  an  association  in  Warsaw,  called  "  Menucha 
w'nachla"  (Peace  and  Possession),  purchased,  in  1890,  a 
neglected  fellah  village,  which  now  has  been  converted  into 
a  prosperous  colony.  This  colony  of  3000  acres  presents  a 
beautiful  landscape.  Its  population  is  200.  It  has  170,000 
vines.  A  large  number  of  laborers  find  employment  here 
at  fair  wages;  they  sleep  in  a  large  woodshed,  or  in  the 
open  field,  or  find  lodging  in  Waad  el  Chanin,  or  in  Ramleh, 
a  distance  of  three-quarters  of  an  hour's  walk.  The  euca- 
lyptus has  been  planted  here  in  large  numbers  for  its  sanitary 
influence. 

Pethach  Tikveh  (Gate  of  Hope)  is  8  miles  north  of 
Jaffa  and  includes  3600  acres.  This  colony  was  really 
founded  as  early  as  1878  by  Jews  from  Jerusalem,  by  whom 
the  enterprise  was  abandoned  in  1882.  Its  recolonization 
by  Russian  Jews  took  place  in  1885,  having  at  this  time 
enlarged  its  territory  by  the  acquisition  of  the  contiguous 
colony,  Jehudiyeh.  This  colony  has  good  land  for  the  rais- 
ing of  grain,  which  has  been  its  important  interest,  but 
200,000  vines  have  also  been  planted.  Containing  consid- 
erable marshy  land,  a  larger  number  of  eucalyptus  have  been 
raised.  The  colony  consists  of  95  families  and  a  number  of 
Jewish  laborers.  700  acres  of  the  land  is  the  property  of  ^ 
the  baron,  through  whose  generosity  the  colony  has  been 
enriched  by  a  beautiful  park.  300  acres  are  owned  by  a 
Mr.  Lachman  of  Berlin,  and  managed  by  his  agent,  Mr. 
Frankel,  in  the  interest  of  the  school  of  the  colony. 

Chedera,  about  50  miles  south  of  Haifu,  was  established 


12 

in  1890  by  a  Russian-Jewish  society.  It  contains  8000  acres 
and  150,000  vines.  At  first  there  arose  difficulties,  the 
authorities  not  granting  the  privilege  to  build  houses;  these, 
however,  have  been  removed.  A  great  deal  of  work  was 
required  on  account  of  draining  the  soil,  which  the  preva- 
lence of  malaria  demanded.  The  number  of  the  colonists 
thus  far  is  small. 

GALILEE  AND  SYRIA. 

Those  enumerated  above  embrace  the  colonies  of  Judea, 
and  we  now  come  to  consider  what  has  been  done  in  Galilee 
and  Syria. 

Sichron  Jacob)  with  its  daughter  colonies,  Samarin, 
Shevaye,  Em  Jemal  and  Tantura,  forms  the  largest  Jewish 
agricultural  settlement  in  Palestine.  It  contains  altogether 
8200  acres,  3200  acres  having  cost  £i  45.  per  acre,  and  5000 
acres  £i  8s.  per  acre.  This  colony  has  now  a  population  of 
about  2000.  It  is  located  about  30  miles  northwest  of 
Pethach  Tikveh.  This  settlement  was  inaugurated  by  70 
Roumanian  Jews  in  1882,  as  Samarin,  who  encountered  the 
greatest  hardships  and  privations,  but  who  were  rescued  by 
v  the  generosity  of  Baron  Edmund  de  Rothschild.  The  chief 
interest  of  this  colony  is  vine  culture,  although  a  considerable 
amount  of  grain  is  raised.  The  colony  possesses  a  fine  park, 
a  good  water  supply,  wine  cellar  and  petroleum  storehouse. 
It  has  synagogue,  hospital,  school  and  kindergarten.  The 
smaller  colonies  are  from  2  to  5  miles  from  the  main  colony. 
Tantura  is  the  harbor  of  the  colony  and  is  close  to  the  sea- 
shore; through  the  efforts  of  the  baron,  a  glass  factory  has 
been  established  here.  Much  attention  has  been  paid  to 
the  raising  of  roses,  acacia,  anise,  etc.,  which  are  already 
utilized  for  the  manufacture  of  perfumery  to  a  considerable 
extent,  and  it  is  intended  that  this  industry  shall  hereafter 
be  largely  increased. 

Rosh  Pinah,  founded  by  Russian  Jews  in  1882,  is  situated 
three  miles  south  of  Safed.  It  embraces  noo  acres  with 


13 

200,000  vines  and  has  been  very  successful  in  the  culture 
of  citron  (ethrogim).  It  has  a  population  of  240,  50  houses, 
a  synagogue  with  boys'  choir  and  a  school.  This  colony, 
which  was  also  aided  by  the  generous  baron,  has  been 
enabled  to  dispense  with  outside  assistance  since  1889. 

Yesod  Hamalah  is  situated  on  the  eastern  side  of  Lake 
Meron,  8  miles  east  of  Rosh  Pinah.  This  colony  was 
founded  by  Russian  Jews  from  Meseritz  in  1883.  It  has  a 
large  vine  culture,  large  plantation  school,  extensive  culture 
of  acacia,  roses,  anise,  etc.,  for  the  manufacture  of  perfumes. 
It  has  excellent  irrigation.  The  water  supply  is  effected  by 
elevated  works,  run  by  horse  power,  close  to  the  lake,  and 
distributed  to  all  parts  of  the  colony  by  means  of  hewn  stone 
aqueducts.  Among  its  products,  wheat,  oats,  maize  and 
beans  must  be  mentioned. 

Mishmar  H ajar  den.  This  colony  is  about  five  minutes 
walk  from  the  Jordan  Stone  Bridge,  one  mile  south  of 
Yesod  Hamahah.  It  was  founded  by  Lebowsky,  a  former 
resident  of  New  York,  in  1884,  and  for  four  years  let  to 
fellahin,  but  now  cultivated  by  Yehudim  of  Safed  and 
former  colonists  of  Rosh  Pinah  and  Yesod  Hamalah.  It 
received  support  from  the  "  Esra "  society  of  Berlin,  but  is 
now  reported  to  be  self-sustaining.  The  land  of  this  colony 
consists  of  600  acres,  bought  at  £i  to  i\  45.  per  acre. 

Ain  Sejthim  and  Mechnayim.  Founded  in  1890,  2800 
acres,  I  mile  northwest  of  Safed,  reported  to  have  made  sat- 
isfactory progress. 

Miron  and  P'Kyn,  6  to  8  miles  southeast  of  Safed,  have 
540  acres,  with  24,000  olive  trees.  Miron  is  renowned  for 
being  the  burial  place  of  Shimon  ben  Jochai,  Hillel,  Shamai, 
and  other  tenaim.  FKyn  is  an  old  settlement  of  Sephardic 
Jews,  who  live  the  life  of  the  fellahin. 

There  are  a  number  of  other  colonies,  which  on  account 
of  being  very  small  or  of  too  recent  date,  need  not  be  men- 
tioned here. 

The  good  effects  flowing  from  the  colonies  have  been 
varied  and  manifold,  and  not  restricted  altogether  to  the 


colonists;  for  example,  the  skilled  physicians  who  are  at- 
tached to  them  have  rendered  aid  to  other  inhabitants  who 
had  previously  been  in  sad  need  in  this  respect.  In  Rosh 
Pinah  a  factory  is  now  being  established  for  spinning  silk, 
in  which  60  persons  will  be  employed.  We  see  from  this 
that  besides  redeeming  the  land  from  barrenness,  the  col- 
onists are  inaugurating  an  activity  in  the  Holy  Land  by 
introducing  new  industries.  Some  of  the  colonies  are  not 
yet  fully  equipped,  and  have  to  express  the  juice  from  the 
grapes  in  a  primitive  way.  On  this  account  many  of  the 
grapes  cannot  be  utilized  for  the  manufacture  of  wine.  To 
avoid  the  sale  of  the  fruit  at  too  low  a  price,  the  manufacture 
of  cognac  has  been  resorted  to  quite  extensively.  Stores 
for  the  sale  of  this  article  have  been  opened  in  CoYistanti- 
nople,  Beyrout,  Saffa,  and  Jerusalem.  During  the  last  three 
years  the  Chovevi  Zion  of  Russia  contributed  the  sum 
of  120,000  rubles  towards  the  support  of  these  colonies,  and 
from  indications,  the  average  amount,  in  the  present  year, 
will  be  greatly  increased.  The  executive  committee  has 
established  dairy  farms  in  Pethach  Tikveh  and  Chedera, 
and  both  in  these  colonies  and  in  others,  stock-raising  has 
been  begun  on  a  small  scale.  The  Chovevi  Zion,  recogniz- 
ing the  importance  of  proper  educational  facilities  to  the 
colonization  schemes,  besides  looking  to  the  provision  for 
schools  in  the  respective  colonies,  have  established  a  model 
school  in  Jaffa,  embracing  a  preparatory  and  an  advanced 
grade,  which  is  to  form  the  basis  of  an  institution  modeled 
after  the  pattern  of  the  German  Gymnasium.  In  the  school, 
as  it  is  now  constituted,  there  are  146  pupils,  with  6  teachers 
in  the  male  department  and  115  pupils  and  5  teachers  in  the 
female  department  in  the  advanced  grade;  and  6  teachers 
in  the  preparatory  grade.  The  languages  taught  embrace 
Hebrew,  Arabic  and  French.  The  instruction  in  the  He- 
brew is  conducted  with  the  view  of  making  it  the  language 
of  conversation.  Wisotsky  of  Moscow  has  donated  10,000 
francs  for  the  development  of  a  department  for  the  educa- 
tion of  teachers,  and  Weinstein  of  Odessa  has  contributed 
14,000  francs  for  providing  good  buildings  for  schools. 


15 

The  scheme  for  the  rehabilitation  of  a  large  number  of 
Jews  in  Palestine  does  not  design  to  favor  a  general  stampede 
from  the  West  to  the  Holy  Land.  Those  who  desire  to 
enter  into  combinations  for  the  organization  of  new  colonies 
will  have  to  furnish  evidence  of  their  fitness  for  the  under- 
taking, and  are  made  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  difficul- 
ties which  await  them.  Under  the  arrangements  governing 
the  formation  of  colonies,  they  cannot  be  made  up  of  such 
adventurers  Who  leave  their  homes  where  they  have  nothing 
to  lose,  in  the  expectation  of  alighting  somewhere  where 
something  favorable  may  turn  up. 

Not  only  are  they  made  familiar  with  the  conditions  by 
which  they  will  be  surrounded,  but  they  must  manifest  their 
willingness  to  submit  to  the  discipline  of  such  conditions, 
by  contributing  some  means  to  entitle  them  to  enter  in 
these  combinations.  In  contemplating  this  new  and  im- 
portant movement,  it  must  constantly  be  borne  in  mind  that 
it  is  led  and  encouraged  by  the  national  sentiment,  and  that 
in  maintaining  its  activity  in  full  harmony  with  this  senti- 
ment its  growth  may  be  slow,  but  it  certainly  will  be  con- 
tinuous. Even  if  affairs  in  Russia  shall  take  a  turn  in  favor 
of  our  brethren  in  that  Empire,  under  the  new  Czar,  of  which 
there  seems  to  be  some  indication,  the  movement  will  go  on. 
The  progress  which  the  colonies  will  no  doubt  continue  to 
make,  will  be  a  potent  factor  in  spreading  this  sentiment 
among  Jews  in  every  part  of  the  world.  There  is  already 
one  private  combination  in  this  country  forming  for  this 
purpose,  having  negotiated  for  a  large  tract  of  land  in  Pales- 
tine; this  temporarily  had  to  be  abandoned  on  account  of 
difficulties  presented  in  the  way  of  securing  the  title  in  the 
name  of  those  representing  the  combination  directly. 

A  large  tract  of  land  has  likewise  been  acquired  by  the 
Chovevi  Zion  of  England,  and  it  is  proposed  that  the  col- 
onists that  shall  settle  upon  this  land  will  come  from  that 
country.  The  Chovevi  Zion  of  New  York,  likewise,  has 
secured  considerable  land  which  is  reserved  for  future  settlers. 
The  idea  has  taken  deep  root,  that  the  Jews  shall  acquire 


i6 


a  home  that  shall  be  their  own,  and  which  shall  be  where 
their  ancestors  lived  and  received  that  inspiration  which 
will  remain  imperishable. 

Under  the  influence  of  this  sentiment,  a  new  and  quite 
extensive  Hebrew  literature  has  been  produced.  Through- 
out the  development  of  the  Chovevi  Zion,  the  acquisition 
of  a  home  in  Palestine  and  a  revival  of  the  Hebrew  language 
have  been  inseparably  interwoven. 

It  is  due  to  the  faithful  laborers  whose  enthusiasm  has 
enabled  them  to  contribute  to  Hebrew  literature  a  new  and 
valuable  treasure,  that  their  work  should  be  made  more 
generally  known,  and  I  regard  it  as  a  part  of  the  task  that 
I  have  undertaken  to  give  a  summary  of  what  has  been 
accomplished  in  this  direction. 

I. — LITERATURE  REFERRING  TO  THE  "  LOVE  OF  ZION"  AND  JEWISH 
COLONIZATION  IN  PALESTINE.  (ORIGINAL.) 

Eretz  Chemdo  (The  Coveted  Land).— Sokolov. 

Eretz  Israel  (The  Land  of  Israel).— Ben  Yehuda. 

Doresh  L'Zion  (Study  of  Zion). — Kramer. 

Jerusalem  (Magazine). — Luntz. 

Massa  L'Eretz  Hakdosho  (Travels  in  the  Holy  Land). — Bachrach. 

Im  Ain  Any  Li,  Me  Li?  (If  I  will  not  help  myself,  who  will  ?). — Zitron. 

Eretz  Hatzvi  (The  Land  of  Beauty) — Eilbaum. 

Befrosa  Pro-oth  (In  the  time  of  rioting). —  Eisman. 

Yosef  Chain  (Adding  Grace).— Friedland. 

Yesod  Hamaalo  (Foundation  of  Greatness). — Brill. 

L'Eretz  Avothann  (To  the  Land  of  our  Fathers). — Levantin. 

Mevassereth  Zion  (Tidings  from  Zion). — Mahr. 

Naitzach  Israel  (The  Strength  of  Israel). — Friedman. 

Eitzo  Vetusheao  (Advice  and  Lessons). — Meyrowitz. 

Shivath  Zion  (Return  of  Zion). — Slutzky. 

Free  Ho-oretz  (The  Fruit  of  the  Land). — Jawetz. 

Am  Olam  (The  Everlasting  Nation). — Smolensky. 

Kavereth  (Bee  Hive  Magazine). — Rohnitzky. 

Ho-oretz  (The  Country).— Jawetz. 

Gaon-Ho-oretz  (The  Greatness  of  the  Land). — Jawetz. 

Me-Jerushalaim  (From  Jerusalem). — Jawetz. 

Charosheth  Hamaase  Vehamischor  B'Eretz  Israel  (Industry  and  Com- 
merce in  Palestine). — Judelowitz. 

The  Colonist,  Magazine  for  Agriculture,  in  Hebrew,  published  in  Jeru- 
salem, by  Meyrowitz  &  Lutz. 


II. — LITERATURE  CONCERNING  JEWS  AND  JUDAISM  FROM  THE  NATIONAL 

POINT  OF  VIEW  AND  IN  ITS  SPIRIT.    (ORIGINALS 

AND  TRANSLATIONS.) 

Kenesseth  Israel  (Assembly  of  Israel). — S.  P.  Robinowitz. 

Pardess  (Garden). — Robnitzky. 

Achiosof  (Comp.  of  Compilers). — Achiosof. 

Memizroch  Umimarov  (From  East  and  West). — Brynin. 

Nais  Lagoim  (Tankred). 

A  Banner  to  the  Nations  (Translation). 

Daniel  Deronda  (Translation). 

Achrith  Jerushulaym  (The  End  of  Jerusalem), — Lando. 

Bar  Kuchba. — Lando. 

Herod. — Lando. 

Koreth  Hayehudim  Besphard  (History  of  the  Jews  in  Spain).— Fried- 
berg. 

Metzoy  Golah  (Exodus  into  Exile).— S.  P.  Robinowitz. 

Dibre  Hayomim  L'Bue  Israel  (History  of  the  Jews).— Jawetz. 

Dibre  Yemai  Hoamim  (History  of  the  Nations.) — Jawetz. 

Yomim  Mekedem  (Olden  Times).— Yehallel. 

Hetzoath  Ben  Abigdor  (The  Publications  of  Ben  Abigdor).— 43  original 
novels  taken  from  Jewish  life. 

Palestine,  by  Munk,  being  translated. 

Encyclopedia  of  Judaism,  being  compiled  by  the  friends  of  Wisotzky. 

Many  educational  works  by  Jawetz,  Klatzka,  Gruzowsky,  etc. 

III. — RECENT  AND  OLDER  LITERATURE  WHICH  HAS  BEEN  REPUBLISHED 

ON  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  SPREAD  OF  THE  HEBREW  LANGUAGE. 

(ORIGINAL  AND  TRANSLATIONS.) 

Dibre  Yomai  Israel  (History  of  the  Jews). — Translated  from  Gratz  by 
S.  P.  Robinowitz. 

Ho-osif. — Magazine,  published  by  Sokolof. 

Beth-Otzar  Hasafros  (Treasure  of  Literature). —Magazine,  by  Graber. 

Knesseth  Hagdolah  (Great  Assembly). — Magazine. 

Hakerem  (Vineyard). — Magazine. 

Gan  Prochim  (Garden  of  Flowers). — Magazine. 

Dor  Dor  Vedorshov  (Generations   and   their  representatives  or  lead- 
ers).—  Weiss.     Second  Edition. 

More   Nebuchay   Hazman  (Guide   to  the   perplexed   of  the   times). — 
Krochmal.     2nd  Edition. 

Koll  Shire,  Y.  L.  Gordon  (All  the  poems  of  Gordon). — Gordon. 

Koll  Kithvey,  Y.  L.  Gordon  (All  the  writings  of  Gordon). — Gordon. 

Koll  Kithvey,  Peretz  Smolensky  (All   the  writings  of   Smolensky). — 
About  10  books. 

Koll  Shire,  A.  B.  Gottlober  (All  the  poems).— Gottlober. 


i8 


Hebrew  Dictionary,  by  Ben  Yehuda, 

Natural  Philosophy,  (Translation),  Bernstein. 

Ethics,  (Translation),  Spinoza. 

Education,  etc.,  (Translation),  Spencer. 

Evolution  of  Man,  (Translation),  Lipfert. 

History  of  Modern  Philosophy,  Miser. 

Translations  of  works  of  Keyserling,  Josephus,  Karpeles,  Zunz. 

New  Editions  of   the    works  of   Mapu,  Ginsburg,  Slominsky,  Weisel, 

Levinson. 
New  Editions  of  the  works  of  Yehuda  Halevy,  Eben  Ezra,  Alcharizi, 

Eben  Gabirol,  Maimonides,  Rav  Hai  Gaon,  Dunash  ben  Labratt, 

etc.,  etc. 
Translations  of  the  works  of  Auerbach,  Philipson,  Dickens,  Levanda, 

Oryeshke.     Some  of  the  works  of  Shakespeare,  Lessing,  Schiller. 

The  creation  of  a  literature  like  this,  unmistakably  sig- 
nifies that  the  national  idea  has  taken  new  and  deep  root 
and  is  not  likely  to  prove  an  ephemeral  growth,  but  that  it 
will  become  stronger  and  stronger.  The  return  of  thous- 
ands of  Jews,  in  a  few  years,  to  agricultural  pursuits,  out  of 
which  they  had  been  driven  by  the  unfriendly  fate  of  twenty 
centuries,  under  conditions  demanding  such  brave  resolu- 
tion, evidences  an  earnestness  of  purpose  which  points  to 
great  possibilities.  Palestine  was  peopled  by  Israel  and 
yielded  sustenance  to  millions.  It  was  wrested  from  Israel 
and  remained  despoiled.  Fertility  is  again  to  be  restored 
to  it  by  Jewish  hands.  In  the  deserted  places  Jewish  vil- 
lages shall  arise.  The  vine-clad  hills  shall  again  recount 
the  story  of  happy  Jewish  homes.  The  peaceful  valleys 
shall  give  testimony  of  renewed  Jewish  life.  The  cities  shall 
be  redeemed  from  degeneracy  through  Western  culture, 
which  the  exile  shall  bring  with  him.  He  who  was  a 
medium  through  which  civilization  reached  the  West  during 
the  dark  ages,  will  appropriately  become  the  bearer  of  en- 
lightenment through  which  the  Orient  is  destined  to  be  re- 
generated. Institutions  are  to  be  reared  which  shall  become 
the  laboratories  of  Jewish  thought.  The  Jew  is  again  to  rise 
to  his  full  dignity  and  show  the  world  how  much  light  Juda- 
ism has  shed,  and  is  yet  capable  of  shedding  upon  all  man- 
kind. This  is  the  grand  ideal  which  thousands  upon  thous- 
ands hope  for  and  are  willing  to  work  and  to  suffer  for. 


V 


But  the  influence  of  this  movement  is  not  to  be  restricted 
to  those  who  have,  or  who  are  willing  to  cast  their  lot  in 
Palestine.  It  is  to  take  a  strong  hold  upon  the  Jew  every- 
where. To  him  who  is  still  suffering  from  the  formidable 
persecution  it  is  to  be  the  great  hope  .that  shall  sustain  him 
through  his  trial.  To  him  who  has  been  elevated  to  full 
citizenship  by  the  law,  but  made  an  alien  by  the  social  de- 
cree, as  in  Germany  and  elsewhere,  it  shall  afford  that  self- 
emancipation  which  is  to  shield  him  from  the  allurements 
of  the  hour  and  fit  him  for  the  purposes  of  a  high  destiny. 
Throughout  the  great  struggle,  which  eventually  is  to  estab- 
lish the  brotherhood  of  man,  in  which  we  all  are  to  lend  our 
best  efforts,  the  great  fellowship  which  hitherto  has  embraced 
the  Jew  of  every  land,  is  inviolably  to  be  maintained.  In 
dealing  with  the  antipathy  which  assails  him  because  he  is 
a  Jew,  he  is  to  think,  to  live  and  to  act  in  a  renewed  realiza- 
tion that  there  is  nothing  so  sure  to  contribute  to  his  happi- 
ness a's  that  which  is  Jewish.  He  is  to  stop  bartering  away 
his  old  treasures  for  flimsy  novelties.  He  is  not  to  borrow 
from  others,  while  he  is  in  possession  of  an  inheritance  by 
which  the  whole  world  can  be  enriched. 

This  is  how  the  "  Jewish  Question  "  is  to  be  answered  for 
the  Jew.  Not  in  a  cringing  spirit,  but  animated  in  the  pride 
of  having  descended  from  a  noble  ancestry,  to  whom  the 
whole  world  is  indebted  for  having  been  the  bearers  of  a 
message  which  was  the  first  to  publish  the  lessons  of  justice 
and  humanity. 

In  the  revival  of  the  national  idea  it  is  not  proposed  that 
all  Jews  shall  be  settled  in  Palestine.  If  those  who  have 
been  honored  by  citizenship  in  the  more  favored  lands,  will 
but  enter  into  the  spirit  which  underlies  the  movement,  they 
can  promote  the  cause  by  reviving  the  study  of  the  Hebrew 
language,  by  forming  societies  of  Chovevi  Zion,  as  has 
been  done  in  England  and  in  Germany,  and  by  living  con- 
sistently the  life  of  a  Jew;  and  in  promoting  the  cause  in  this 
way  they  will  honor  themselves,  and  fortify  themselves  to 
assume  an  attitude  against  which  the  shafts  of  Antisemitism 
will  prove  unavailing. 


20 


"  The  eminence,  the  nobleness  of  a  people,  depends  on  its 
capability  of  .being  stirred  by  memories,  and  for  striving  for 
what  we  call  spiritual  ends — ends  which  consist  not  in  im- 
mediate material  possession,  but  in  the  satisfaction  of  a  great 
feeling  that  animates  the  collective  body  as  with  one  soul." 
These  are  the  encouraging  words  which  came  from  George 
Eliot. 

The  Jew  is  confronted  by  the  alternative,  either  to  make 
a  brave  resistance  against  the  modern  influences  which  con- 
spire to  bring  about  his  disintegration,  and  come  out  of  the 
fight  with  a  new  victory  to  add  to  his  glorious  record;  or, 
being  misled  by  the  false  meaning  of  assimilation ,  to  sur- 
render to  what  he  is  made  to  believe  is  inevitable,  and  suffer 
the  ignominious  doom  of  the  forgotten. 

But  Israel  will  not  surrender!  A  Maccabean  spirit  will 
arise  anew  to  fire  the  Jewish  heart  to  cast  out  the  idols  from 
the  sanctuary.  It  was  not  Israel  that  sold  his  birthright  for 
a  mess  of  pottage.  It  was  his  to  struggle  and  to  win. 


-~5§SSks 

i^lubV'! 


